Pamela Kirts
Pamela Kay Kirts, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and professional wrangler of children behaving badly in airports, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19th, surrounded by family.
Born on April 28, 1951, Pam lived a life defined by stubborn grit, fierce love, a razor-sharp memory, and a legendary ability to hold a grudge. She loved birds, quilting, digging through genealogy records, and vehemently hated snakes. She left this world too soon, but she leaves behind stories that will outlive all of us.
Long before she was a mother, she was the captain of her high school cheer squad—leading with spirit, confidence, and the kind of fire she carried throughout her life. She later proved that same fire by eloping, a story she shared with equal parts pride, mischief and regret for the rest of her days.
Over the years, she reluctantly traveled to all four corners of the country, dragging her children behind her while doing her best to keep them alive—and out of federal custody. Despite her best efforts, she failed to prevent an iguana from being smuggled onto an airplane, TSA confiscated toy guns from carry-ons more times than she’d ever admit, and spent a non-trivial portion of her parenting years sprinting after Andy, who once ran off with the Seven Dwarves. Pam handled it all with an exasperated, unwavering love that defined her life.
Her passions were simple and sincere: watching birds in the quiet of the morning, stitching quilts, and uncovering ancestors one dusty document at a time. Her mind was a walking family tree—she could name every descendant, cousin, branch, and offshoot going all the way back to the earliest records. If you gave her a name, she could give you the history, the dates, the stories, and at least one opinion about their life choices. She loved nothing more than wandering long-forgotten cemeteries in search of ancestors, much to the endless dismay of the children she dragged along—who would have much preferred literally anywhere else. But to her, those quiet headstones were stories waiting to be rediscovered.
To her grandchildren, she was pure magic. They will forever remember her for her cookies, her pound cake, and her uncanny ability to turn every holiday into a grand, unforgettable family celebration. She made traditions feel sacred, rooms feel warmer, and childhood feel enchanted.
She loved deeply—sometimes too fiercely—and remembered every slight ever committed against her. But in her final days, she gave one last, profound gift. She forgave old hurts, released long-held bitterness, and showed her family what it truly means to leave this world with peace in your heart.
She is survived by her children, Ian “Matt” Glover, Christopher “Andy” Glover, Laura Denning, and Kirt Glover—all of whom carry pieces of her: her humor, her stubbornness, her heart, and her uncanny ability to create mild chaos while traveling.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 2:00PM at Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge, VA. Family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Shenandoah House, 111 N Campus Dr, Fishersville, VA 22939, in her honor.
Her life was full, her love was fierce, her humor unmatched, and her memory will remain a blessing to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
